Fourths to john l



(No Model.)

G. P. STANSBURY.

BUCKLE.

No. 665,396. Patented Aug, 4,Y 1696.l

W] TAl 5555 /N VEN TOR UNITED 2 STATES GEORGE F. STANSBURY, OF WEEDSPORT, NEl/V YORK, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHS TOJOHN L. GOFF, OF SAME PLACE, JOSEPH P. PFOHL, OF SYRA OUSE, AND EZRA W. SMI'TIL'OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,396, dated August 4, 1896. Application filed January 28,1895. Serial No. 536,@18. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern: is always held in movably-connected relation Be it known that l, GEORGE F. STANSBURY, to the case-like body, rendering complete disa citizen of the United States, residing at engagement of the parts impossible; and, fur- Veedsport, in the county of Cayuga and State thermore, my invention embodies details of 5 of New York, have invented certain new and formation imparting increased effectiveness 5 5 useful Improvements in Buckles; and I do and value to the buckle structure, all conhereby declare the following to be afull, clear, structed, arranged, and operating as hereinand exact description of the invention, such after described, and specifically enumerated as will enable others skilled in the art to which in the claims hereunto annexed.

Q Io it appertains to make and use the same, ref- Referring to the accompanying drawings, 6o j erence being had to the accompanying drawl indicates the case-like member, and 2 the s ings, in whichwedge-acting key member appertaining to my Figure l is a top plan view of my improved buckle structure. buckle as appearing with its key member in The case portion l consists of a iiat top plate position for securing a strap, and thus buck- A, upwardly-converging bottom plate B, side 65 ling it; Fig. 2, an inverted or bottom plan plates O O, respectively of wedge shape in view of same in like position; Fig. 3, a lonplan and ordinarily terminating at the lower gitudinal sectional elevation thereof, taken portion of their greatest breadth or height in centrally throughmybuckle, upon dotted line a longitudinally-outstanding loop L of any 2o w'w, Fig. l and Fig. Lis a corresponding secordinary or requisite shape adapted for the 7o tional elevation of my device as appearing permanent attachment of astrap, inthe preswith its key member in a position releasing ent exemplification the extensions of the side the strap-unbuckling thereof. plates in conjunction with a cross-bar uniting Like letters and figures of reference denote their extremities, conjointly creating a loop. corresponding parts throughout the several In planthelongitudinal edges orboundaries 75 views. of the respective platesA and B taper or slant My invention relates to improvements in approachingly inward toward that extremity buckles adapted for utilization in the securof the case l Where said plates are the nearest ing of harness, belts, Suspenders, trusses, and together, the slanting edges being at a gradgo analogous purposes. ual taper, as indicated at a a, and the side 8o Said invention especially relates to improveplates C O correspondingly converge toward ments in that class or species of buckles comeach other in like direction, as denoted at b b. prising a hollow body or case provided with The top plate A is preferably a solid plate a wedge-shaped member for the buckling of devoid of any slot or aperture, while the bota strap. Y tom plate B may be divided centrally into 8 5 My invention consists in such novel and two parts c c by a longitudinal passage or diimproved construction of a buckle of the charvision-opening d, said parts forming ways acteristics stated as will insure a practical for the travel thereon of the wedgeshaped and reliable strap-securing device of comparakey shortly to be described. Said ways c c 4o tively simple formation and inexpensive to may be of any satisfactory width, or the said 9o manufacture, and invariably assuring such bottom plate may be non-divided, my prime l positive gripping 0r frictional hold of a strap object in dividing same into two portions by as will render when secured, c'. c., buckled, the passage CZ being merely to utilize less any slipping of the strap impossible, whatmetal and thus insure greater lightness to ever may be the variations in its thickness; the case, while coincidently dispensing with 9 5 moreover, admitting of the easy and expedisuperfluous metal. tious securing or release of a strap without, Preferably the entire case, aside from the if so desired, any disturbance of the straps transverse bar of the loop, is formed of an position,or slackening moreover,so arranged integral blank of suitable sheet metal formed 5o that the longitudinally-sliding key member to shape. roo

Y that of the case wherein it operates.

The wedge-like key member 2 is disposed longitudinallymovable within the case l, and being of a greater length than said case invariably extends through and beyond it. This elongated key comprises a wedge-shaped body 3, terminating with a head 4, provided with a transverse slot or opening e, which elongated slot, standing on a plane antagonistic to the direction of the keys length, is of sufficient size to admit of the passage of a strap or band.

Preferably, for advantageous reasons,'the slotted head or extremity has a moderate upward or outward curvature, as at f, away from the plane of the flat top plate portion D of the key, wherewith it is integral.

The wedge-like body of the key member is formed by a major portion of the top plate D, in conjunction with side plates E E, respectively of wedge shape in plan and of similar dimensions,

The level top plate of the member 2 lies parallel with the straight top plate of the inclosing case l, and the bottom edges of its side plates converge upwardly in the same direction as and in like ratio to the incline of the bottom plate B of the case, whereupon said inclined bottom edges of the sides ofthe wedge-body 3 of the key are adapted to slide. Obviously, the height of the key is less than Moreover, as is discernible, that extension of the top plate of the wedge-like body terminating in a headed (or non-headed) extremity having a slot e protrudes longitudinally from the contracted portion of the wedge-body.

Preferably the bordering edges g g of the top plate D of the wedge-body of the key taper approachingly inward on inclined planes corresponding to those of the bordering edges a a of the top plate A of the case, and, likewise, the vertical sides E E extend beveling inward in analogous degree, as at 7L 71..

While by choice I construct the wedge-like body of a trough shape, and form the entire key member of an integral blank of satisfactory sheet metal bent to shape, thereby combining both lightness and economy in manufacture, I may, when so desired, utilize a solid wedge-shaped clamping-body in lieu of the trough-shaped one described.

vWhen deemed advantageous to I may have the ordinarily-looped extremity of the case terminate in an apertured hook adapted for engagement with the post of a front plate of a hernial pad, or, contrariwise, I may dispense with any protrnsion of the member for formation of a loop or equivalent and secure the case by the under side to any desired object-strap or fabricby any suitable fastening means.

By way of exempliiication of the adaptation and operation of my buckle I show at S (by dotted work) an extremity of a strap to be secured by same, and at S', I indicate a strap (in dotted work) permanently attached to the loop portion of my device. The strap or trace S to be buckled passes through the slot e in the head termination of the key member 2 and thence straight through the space existing between the under side of thc top plate of the case and the upper side of the top plate of said key, and, following such introduction, any tension on the strap in the direction indicated by an arrow will cause the key to act automatically, the wedgeshaped body being carried toward and usually partially through the contracted end of the case-chamber, thereby so impinging or gripping, through frictional contact, the interposed strap or trace as to hold it firmly and secure and without possibility of its slipping.

The slotted extension 4c, invariably lying forward of the smaller end of the case, is an all-important feature of the movable key member, for the reason that, as demonstrated by repeated trials upon my part, a wedgeshaped body or block devoid of said strapreceiving extension and operative within a case of the broad characteristics specified will not act positively in each and every instance in giving the required grip or frictional hold for absolutely retaining the secured strap against slipping or longitudinal displacement from requisite position, any variation in the thickness of the buckled strap rendering slipping thereof not only possible, but probable.

.By my provision of an extended slotted portion to the wedge-body per Se, through the aperture of which the strap readily passes prior to its passage through the space existing between the top of the case member and the sliding key, tension upon the strap necessarily draws the wedge-shaped body forward and upward, (the side plates thereof moving on the bottom plate of the case,) causing frictional gripping of the strap, and the harder the strain the tighter is said strap held wedgingly locked in place.

As is clearly indicated by Figs. 3 and i of the drawings, no slack or longitudinal movement of the strap is entailed either in the rclease or securing thereof by the buckle, unless so desired, a matter of excessive importance.

rIhe position for the fastening of the strap being reached by the pulling taut of said strap in the direction indicated by dotted arrow, Fig. 4, the operator, with one hand concurrently grasping the strap S and loop of the case, (or permanent strap S,) grasps by his disengaged hand the slotted extremity oit' the key member, drawing it in the direction indicated by full arrow until the strap S is impingingly retained by the frictional contact of the top plate of the case and the top of the wedge-like key, and for the releasing of the now-secured strap, as per Fig. 3, the strap may be drawn in the direction indicated by dotted arrow in said figure and thereby released, or, in case no disturbance of the strap longitudinally is desirable, it may be held by the hand conjointly with the loop or IOO permanent strap, as hereinbefore specified, and the thumb of said hand, or the disengaged hand, engaging withthe slotted head of the key the same is retracted in the direction indicated by dotted arrow suficiently to free the strap from retention, the key assuming the position delineated in Fig. 4E.

No matter how tightly wedged the strap may be no pounding upon the key is necessary to effect the starting thereof, a very advantageous feature of my device.

As is evident, by my formation and arrangement of lthe buckle members a continuous and equal frictional hold upon the strap is assured from end to end of the case proper. Moreover, with the strap compressingly retained between the underlying wedge-body of the key and the top plate of the case and extending tautly through the slot in the extension of the top plate of the keyby a curvilinear or angular bend thereat such biting or frictional seizure of the strap is attained at said slotted portion as to not only (through tension) thoroughly crowd the key against the strap, but concurrently acts as an auxiliary strap-securing medium.

Vhile requisite thrust of the wedgedike body of the key within the case is a desideratum and amply provided for by my device, yet it is advantageous that, following the withdrawal of a strap from the buckle, com plete disconnection of the key from the case should be impossible, as otherwise there would be danger of loosing the key through oversight or accident. l

It is for the purpose of preventing complete disconnection of the case and its key member that I have the sides of the case and sides of the key-body formed coincidingly convergent, as priorly described, the effect whereof is that in the absence of a superposed strap or trace the key cannot become detached from its case, the lateral contact of the parts occurring upon the key being drawn out its greater portion from the case retarding further withdrawal and yet admitting of its free movement in opposite direction until stopped by the loop extension of the case.

Obviously I m ay, if so desired, dispense with the convergence of the sides of the case and its key, and accomplish aforestated purpose by so regulating the height of the contracted portion of the case that it will be slightly less than the height of the expanded extremity of the wedge-body of the key, and rendering complete withdrawal of said key impossible,

such provision being merely a matter of dimensions, as evident.

That my improved construction of a buckle provides a device that is practical, operative, simple, and inexpensive is clearly apparent.

I-Iaving described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. A device of the class described, comprising a casing formed integral and having its upper and lower sides arranged at an angle to form a converging chamber, a similar key adapted to move in the chamber and exert gripping pressure in conjunction with the parallel inner surface of the upper wall thereof, and an extension on the casing provided with means for the attachment of a strap, said means being in the path of the key whereby it may be retained against excessive rearward movement.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a casing formed integral with its upper and lower sides at an angle to form a converging chamber, a key having its upper and lower sides arranged at an angle equal to that of the similar sides of the casing, said key having an opening to receive a strap in its passage between the key and casing, and an extension on the casing in the path of the key to retain the latter against excessive rearward movement.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing formed integral with its base at an angle to its top, a similarlyformed key comprising a web having downwardly-extending runners whose lower edges form angles with the web, said key having its outer end turned upwardly and diagonally of its path, and provided with a perforation in the upturned portion at right angles to the web of the key, and a strap passed between the web of the key and the top of the casing land bent downwardly through the perforation in the key whereby it may be gripped or released by the adjacent surfaces of the key and casing as the key is manipulated, and an extension on the casing in the path of the key in its rearward movement to prevent removal of the latter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 2d day of January, 1895.

GEORGE F. STANSBURY. [ns] Vitnesses:

WV. H. KERAND, L. R. KLUMPP.

IOO 

